Vertical tubular condenser



June 16, 1931. J. M. SEYMOUR 1,809,914

VERTICAL TUBULAR CONDENSER Filed May 2, 1927 IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 16, 1931 UNITED STATES JAMES M. SEYMOUR, F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY VERTICAL TUBULAR CONDENSER Application filed May 2, 1927. Serial No. 188,177.

This invention relates to improvements in vertical tubular condensers for condensing gases and vapors, such, for example as ammonia. vapors discharged from refrigerating systems; and the invention has reference, more particularly to means for increasing the cooling capacity and efliciency of such condensers.

This invention has for its principal object to provide in combination with vertical tubular condensers provided with tubes in contact with the gas or vapor to be condensed and through which cold water is passed, means for producing an evaporative effect in connection with the water coated or filmed surfaces of the tubes by causing air to traverse the tubes with the water, all whereb water absorbed heat is more quickly and e ficiently dissipated, and the flow of water films retarded so as to longer maintain the water in contact with the tube walls to thus attain the maximum cooling efiiciency thereof.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation in part vertical section of a vertical tubular condenser embodying one form of arrangement of air circulating means applied thereto and cooperating therewith in accordance with the principles of this invention; and Figure 2 is a similar view, illustrating a somewhat modified form and arrangement of the air circulating means.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the said views to indicate corresponding parts.

In the said drawings, the reference character 5 indicates the cylindrical outer shell of the condenser, the same being closed at its lower end by a bottom tube head 6 and at its upper end by a top tube head 7. Said shell 5 is supported at its lower end on plers 8 ms ing from a catch basin 9, which may be formed from concrete or any other suitable 50 material. Leading into the side of said shell 5 is gas or vapor delivery inlet 10, and leading out of the shell, adjacent to its lower end is a condensate discharge outlet 11. Said inlet 10 and outlet 11 may be connected by suitable conduits or piping with the system served by the condenser, so that the hot gases or vapors are delivered from the system into the shell interior, condensed therein, and the cool condensate discharged from the shell interior for return to the system.

Connected between the bottom tube head 6 and the top tube head 7, to extend vertically through the interior of the shell 5, are a plurality of open tubes 12, the upper ends of the same preferably possessing extensions 12 projecting above the upper exterior level of said top tube head 7. Built up on the top tube head is a water reservoir or box 13, and arranged within said reservoir or box so as to surround the tube projections 12 is a vertical baffle 14 spaced inwardly from the side walls of said reservoir or box 13. Said baffie 14 is spaced above the top tube head 7 so as to permit water to flow under the same and rise around the tube projections 12 to thence overflow the same into and for gravitation through the tube interiors. A water supply pipe 15 is provided, having its discharge nozzles 16 entering the water reservoir or box 13, preferably at opposite points intermediate the walls of the reservoir or box 13 and said baflle 14. The baflle plate 14 prevents undue agitation of the water as it flows to the tubes 12, and assures a quiet and even distribution of the same for gentle overflow into the intake ends of the tubes 12. The water thus caused to enter the tubes 12 will trickle downwardly or gravitate upon the internal surfaces of the same, forming on such surfaces cool films or coatings adapted to take up heat transferred, from the gases or vapors to be condensed, through the walls of thetubes.

The water thus caused to traverse the tubes 12 is discharged, from the lower open ends of the latter, into the catch basin 9. The catch basin is provided in its bottom with a water drain pipe 17.

In the form and arrangement of my invention shown in Figure 1, the upper open 1 top of said catch-basin 9 is closed by an annular hood 18, and communicating with the interior of the t us closed catch-basin is the air delivery conduit 19 of a suitable air blower 20. In operation, the blower 20 delivers a moving stream of air into the catch-basin above the water level therein, whereby said air stream is caused to divide itself and travel upwardly through the tubes 12 counter to the gravitating films of water descending the interior surfaces of said tubes the air escaping from the upper open ends of the latter. In such arrangement it is desirable to provide the water drain pipe 17 with a trap section 17 so as to prevent escape of air with the out-draining water, and thus assuring proper and complete upward movement or circulation of the air through the tubes 12.

As the air moves upwardly through the tubes 12 it tends to eddy and swirl so that drops of water falling through the tube out of contact with the interior surfaces thereof are forced toward said surfaces, and the descending water is more efiiciently retained in contact with such surfaces as a coating or film. The friction of the moving air in contact with the water bathed interior surfaces of the tube tends, first, to retard the passage of the water, thus prolonging the time the water remains in contact with the tube so that its full inherent cooling capacity may be availed of, and, second, the friction of the moving air tends to eflect more or less evaporation of water, thereby aiding in cooling effect and giving to the water a greater capacity to absorb or take up heat transferred through the tube walls from the gases or vapors undergoing condensation. By the movement of the air currents through the tubes counter to the flow of water, the normal atmospheric air forming such currents becomes fully saturated, thereby more rapidly carrying away or dissipating the heat and consequently greatly increasing the capacity of the condenser. It follows therefore, that less water may be used to produce maximum cooling effects when the air circulation provided by the instant invention is employed cooperatively with the water, and consequently the operation of the condenser is somewhat more economical, since there is a saving of power for operating the water circulating pumps.

It will be obvious that the desired movement of the air through the tubes 12, may be accomplished in ways other than that above described in which a bottom blower is utilized. For example, in Figure 2 I hav e shown a modified arrangement by means of which the desired circulation or movement through the tubes 12 is induced by an exhauster coupled with the upper end of the vertical tubular condenser. In such case, the catch-basin enclosing hood 18 is omitted, and the lower end of the condenser tubes 12 are left 0 en to the atmosphere, but the open upper en of the water reservoir or box 13 is closed by cover member 21. An air suction fan or exhauster 22 is coupled through a suitable conduit 23 in communication with the enclosed interior of the water reservoir or box 13. The operation of the suction fan or exhauster causes the air to be pulled from the atmosphere upwardly through the tubes 12 counter to the gravitation of water in the said tubes, thus attaining the desired air circulation with all the advantages and effects already above described.

As the above mentioned and many other changes could be made in connection with my present invention and many apparently widely different embodiments of the same could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a vertical tubular condenser, means to supply water for movement through the tubes thereof, said water supply means having a bafile surrounding the intake ends of said tubes to assure even distribution of water to the latter, and means for also supplying air for movement through the tubes thereof in contact with said water comprising suction means at the upper ends of said tubes and an adit at the lower ends thereof, to cause said air to saturate and thereby absorb and carry away heat from said water which is transferred thereto through the tube walls, the air entering said tubes at atmospheric pressure and gradually falling in pressure as it rises in the tubes.

2. In combination with a condenser apparatus having open ended cooling tubes and means to supply water for gravitation through said tubes in contact with the internal surfaces thereof, said water supply means hav'ng a baflle surrounding the intake ends of said tubes to assure even distribution of water to the latter, the said tubes communicating with the atmosphere at the lower end of said apparatus so that the air within the lower portions of said tubes is at substantially atmospheric pressure, a chambered enclosure with which said tubes communicate at the upper end of said apparatus, and air suction fan means connected in communication with said chambered enclosure, whereby the air in the upper portions of said tubes is at less than atmospheric pressure.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of April, 1927.

JAMES M. SEYMOUR. 

